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We all need plumbers, and plumbers need extensive training to do the job right. There’s a lot to learn if you want to join this essential workforce, and training is accessible throughout the Great Lake State.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 8% growth rate in Michigan for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters as compared with 2% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of plumbing jobs in Michigan posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Michigan Plumber Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Most plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters learn on the job through an apprenticeship. Some attend a vocational-technical school before receiving on-the-job training. Most states require plumbers to be licensed.”
To perform any plumbing work legally in Michigan, you must be licensed through the state. Michigan plumbing license requirements include a plumbing apprenticeship and documented work experience.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees all of the professional licensing in the state. The Bureau of Construction Codes is responsible for all the skilled trades, including electricians, mechanical contractors, and plumbers who are licensed through the Plumbing Division.
The following Michigan trade schools offer plumbing programs:
Macomb Community College in Clinton Township and Warren
Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor
Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek
Henry Ford College in Dearborn
Delta College in University Center
Plumbing Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefit of getting some formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The state of Michigan does not require advanced education.
However, some plumber apprenticeship programs are very competitive, and you will need to find ways to move up the ranking list to be selected. There are often classes applicants can take in high school and college to help them prepare and perhaps be ranked higher on the candidate list.
They include trade classes like blueprint reading and construction classes, and math classes like Algebra I & II, Calculus, Geometry, and Trigonometry.
Very few plumbers choose to get a four-year bachelor’s degree unless they’re seeking a related engineering or building construction degree. If this is a path that interests you, you may want to explore the Mechanical Engineering degree programs at one of the four-year universities in Michigan, such as:
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
Plumbing programs at technical colleges are all intended to prepare students for careers in plumbing, pipefitting, and related fields. All classroom instruction combines theory and practical skills. Most develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
Among the plumbing courses you’ll take are:
Introduction to Plumbing Technology
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
Plumbing Blueprints and Codes
Waste, Sewer Drainage Systems, and Venting Systems
Underground Water Supply and Distribution Systems
Plumbing Fixtures and Appliance Installation
Further along will be intermediate and advanced plumbing concepts, pipe fabrication, and welding technology fundamentals, among other education courses, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety procedures certification, too.
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the apprenticeship or school and program that is right for you.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Michigan community colleges on average is $4,944 per year for in-state students and $6,878 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving federal (Pell Grant) and state grants can apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies. Delta offers a pre-apprenticeship skilled trades certificate program, which takes a year to complete. Kellogg Community College offers a skilled trades associate’s degree, which can be completed in two years.
Becoming a plumber in Michigan requires a three-year apprenticeship.
Benefits
There are many benefits to formal education if you want to join the plumbing profession. Many employers will choose an applicant with a certificate or pre-apprenticeship education over one without. Those credentials can also give you an edge in the selection process for an apprenticeship. Having some basic knowledge helps you to hit the ground running and secure your place in a shop full of professionals.
Online vs. in-person
You may choose to get that jump on plumbing training through an online certificate program. Only you know if this type of independent curriculum will work for you.
Penn Foster and Ashworth College are two of the most recognizable online plumbing programs. Bob Vila’s website and the CPA Accounting Institute for Success both list them at the top of their posts about the Best Online Courses for Plumbing.
If you know your learning style relies more on personal instruction, the traditional in-person classes and accredited programs listed above are fairly accessible throughout the state.
Level of difficulty
Plumbing programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in the plumbing trade in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors. Curriculum includes an understanding of mathematics and physics.
Plumbers must learn a lot of different things to be successful, including: how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair plumbing systems (including water heaters); troubleshoot issues at residences or commercial properties; execute on remodels or new installations that involve running all water, gas and sewage lines; know how and when to use different material pipes and how to fit them together properly; understand the plumbing code; and keep accurate records of work performed.
School Comparison: At a Glance
Let’s take a look at plumbing trade schools in Michigan:
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Plumbing and Pipefitting
Offers an Apprenticeship Completion Certificate
Offers an Industrial Trades Certificate in Pipefitting
Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Pipefitting
Offers an Industrial Trades Certificate
Offers an Associate in Applied Science: Skilled Trades
Offers a Certificate of Achievement in Applied Plumbing and Pipefitting
Offers a Plumber-Pipefitter Associate of Applied Science to be completed alongside an apprenticeship
Offers a pre-apprenticeship Skilled Trades Construction Certificate
Steps for Enrollment in Michigan
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
Plumbing Career Requirements in Michigan
To become a plumber in Michigan, one must first register and complete a three-year (6,000 hours) apprenticeship in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a licensed authorized master plumber.
Upon completion of the apprenticeship, applicants can take the required examination to obtain a journey plumber license. To become a master plumber, applicants must complete two years of experience (4,000 hours) as a journeyman plumber immediately preceding the date of application and pass an exam.
Lastly, to become a plumbing contractor, one must:
Hold a master plumber license or employ a licensed master plumber.
Be an owner of a sole proprietorship or partnership, or an officer of a corporation or LLC.
Provide five years of business or employment information.
Pass an exam.
For a detailed explanation of Michigan’s plumbing licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Michigan Plumbing License.
Salaries for Plumbers in Michigan
Before paying for technical education and getting started in the plumbing field, you’ll want some idea of what you can expect in terms of the return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as a plumbing professional in Michigan?
Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median plumber salary in Michigan for 2024 is:
Entry level <2 years: $46,900
Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,800
Senior 4-6 years: $61,400
For more information about plumber salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
To meet apprenticeship requirements in Michigan, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Interested applicants should apply directly to the company with which they’d like to apprentice. Remember, apprenticeship—or working under the supervision of a licensed plumber—is required to become a licensed plumber in Michigan.
The Michigan Workforce Development Agency provides a list of available apprenticeships, as does the Michigan Apprenticeship Steering Committee.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Indiana and Ohio.
Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio
Indiana Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association with chapters throughout the state
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as a plumber in Michigan. The opportunities are all around you.
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